The document outlines the importance of community collaboration to enhance awareness of long-term care issues and the need for active involvement from various organizations and agencies. It emphasizes the role of education and outreach in empowering consumers, as well as the necessity for partnerships to address the challenges faced by caregivers and improve the lives of elders. Additionally, it highlights the financial impact of caregiving on businesses and the economy, asserting that effective advocacy and support strategies can mitigate these issues.

1. Long Term Care Collaboration, Education, and Community Outreach

2. ObjectivesTo explore a community’s response to the need for increased awareness of long term care and relative issuesTo understand the importance of collaboration and partnershipsTo increase knowledge base of collaborative efforts and potential partnersTo share a success story

3. PhilosophyIncluding the family members as an integral component Education is the major ingredient for successConsumers (elders/families) are not well informed on long term care issues/servicesOne organization/agency cannot do it alone

4. Major ComponentsCommunity Outreach Community Coalition Business Partnerships

5. StrategiesActive involvement in the larger community Well connected to service providers and community leadersUtilize a multi method approachKeep a pulse on trends/issues in long term careAdvocate - Advocate - Advocate

6. Community OutreachWeb SiteNewsletter Involvement on Boards, Committees and Local Associations Presentations

7. Community OutreachChurches & Associations Area Agencies on Aging Elder Care Organizations Health Care Systems Governmental Agencies Media

8. Community Coalition- Breakthrough CoalitionOver 125 Elder Care Organizations, individuals and companiesWork together to improve the lives of elders in our communityCommitted to a collaborative spirit, is dedicated to life enhancement for older adults within the community

9. Community Coalition- Breakthrough Coalition13 Years in operationsWork is produced through several sub-committeesOutreach; Religious Advocacy; Steering; Elder Count; Resource Guide; Education; Injury Prevention; Grandparent Network (new)

10. Community Coalition- Breakthrough CoalitionProvides networking, sharing, education, and a coordinated effortConcerted advocacy effortsProduces products Community Resource Guide, Training Programs, Educational Materials & SeminarsBi-monthly educational workshops

11. Business Partners12 BusinessesOver 15,000 employeesTo address the negative impact on the workplace from employed caregivers trying to balance work and family life

12. Caring WorkplaceResponds to Work Place Elder Care IssuesAddresses both the Employer and the Employee needsFulfills the Mission of St. Andrew’s

14. Caring WorkplaceConnects Elders/Families to Experts in the non health related resources and products - such as: Attorneys Financial Planners Moving Assistance Professionals Home Veterinarian Services

15. The Caregiver49 % of the caregivers are baby boomers56 % are women and 44 % are men75 % have one or two children

16. “Elder Care is today’s fastest growing work-family employee benefit.”

17. Rationale1/2 of all caregivers are employed outside the home and account for.... 73 percent of early departures and late arrivalsUtilize “long and frequent” phone callsHave more mistakes, accidents, conflicts and poor morale Increased health problems

18. Cost of CaregivingEmployed caregivers are estimated to cost American businesses up to$29 billion annually in lost productivity, worker replacement, and absenteeism

19. Cost of CaregivingIndividuals lose nearly $659,000 over their lifetime in lost wages, social security and pension contributions due to: Turning down promotions and assignments Taking early retirement

20. Business PartnersProvides… Family caregivers services and support Education Home Assessments

21. Other PartnersFinancial Planners/AdvisorsFinancial Management FirmsElder Care LawyersRealtorsTravel AgenciesEMTs

22. The Te of PigletLet’s find a WayTodayThat can take us to tomorrow--Follow that Way,A Way like flowing water.The sun is highThe road is wide,And it starts where we are standing.No one knowsHow far it goes,For the road is never-ending.